Doorcheck

ABSTRACT

The disclosure relates to a doorcheck for holding a door ajar. A resilient yoke member is placed over the top edge of the door. The yoke member has a tail extension defining a channel adapted to be snap-fit over a bead on a rail member which is affixed to a supporting surface to thus rigidly secure the door in an open position. In an alternate embodiment, the yoke member is provided with a tail extension and cooperating apertured clamp plate which clamps to a portion of the doorframe. Another embodiment includes a resilient latching arrangement wherein a tail extension of the yoke member includes an upstanding hook member adapted to be accommodated by a receiving latch member affixed to a supporting surface. A further embodiment encompasses a yoke member pivotally mounted to a supporting surface and adapted to be lowered onto the top edge of the door to hold the door in an open position.

United States Patent [Ill 3,620,483

[72] Inventor Morris Welnberger 387 Amsterdam Ave., New York, N.Y. 10024 [21] Appl. No. 4!,927 (22] Filed June 1, 1970 [45] Patented Nov. 16, I971 [54] DOORCI-IECK 8 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

[52] [1.5. CI 292/262, 292/288 [5! Int. Cl ..E05c 17/04, EOSc l9/l8 [50] Field of Search 292/338, 339, 288, 262; 16/86 A [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,! 72,6l0 9/1930 Frank 292/288 2,565,906 8/1951 Berthene. 292/288 X 2,709,6l5 5/1955 Barnes 292/339 Assistant Examiner-Edward J. McCarthy AltorneyPolachek & Saulsbury ABSTRACT: The disclosure relates to a doorcheck for holding a door ajari A resilient yoke member is placed over the top edge of the door The yoke member has a tail extension defining a channel adapted to be snap-fit over a bead on a rail member which is affixed to a supporting surface to thus rigidly secure the door in an open position. In an alternate embodiment, the yoke member is provided with a tail extension and cooperating apertured clamp plate which clamps to a portion of the doorframe. Another embodiment includes a resilient latching arrangement wherein a tail extension of the yoke member includes an upstanding hook member adapted to be accommodated by a receiving latch member affixed to a supporting surface. A further embodiment encompasses a yoke member pivotally mounted to a supporting surface and adapted to be lowered onto the top edge of the door to hold the door in an open position.

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MORRIS WEINBERGER ATTURNE .5

DOORCHECK This invention relates to a device for holding a door ajar, more particulariy to a doorcheck or keeper positionable over the top edge of a door for spacing the door from a doorframe.

Frequently, it is necessary to retain a door in a partially or fully open position, especially in warm weather when it is desired to ventilate the room. The invention is also useful for holding doors open in offices or rooms wherein there is a heavy or constant flow of traffic, e.g., the doorcheck is advantageously employed on doors to storerooms or other enclosed areas wherein there is frequent movement of people or material. The device is also particularly suitable when there is a need to move furniture or large objects into or out of a room, and consequently it would be desirable to have the door retained in an open position.

The conventional doorstops or checks commonly used involve a pivotable member attached to a lower portion of the door which when lowered will frictionally engage the floor surface to hold the door in an open position. Other devices, such as wedge-shaped members which are slid under the door or heavy objects placed on the floor adjacent the door are also used to hold doors in an open position. The aforementioned devices are subject to unauthorized tampering or removal especially by children, and furthermore may be accidentally kicked or otherwise loosened by a person walking through the doorway, thereby creating a potentially hazardous condition. In many instances. such as when using an all-glass or woodpaneled door which is quite prevalent in modern office or apartment buildings, the conventional doorstop devices are inappropriate as they may impair or mar the surface of the door, may obstruct the clear passageway through the doorway, may prove unsightly in appearance, or may otherwise be inapplicable.

The doorcheck of this invention overcomes these disadvantages and is comprised of a resilient yoke member positionable over the top edge of a door and generally out of sight and beyond the reach of children. Furthermore, the yoke member has depending legs for resiliently gripping the door without impairing or marring the surface of the door and does not require the placement of screws, nails, etc., into the door nor is there required any special tools to install or remove the doorcheck.

In a preferred embodiment, a bifurcated tail extending rearwardly from the yoke member is provided with a channel having a partially circular transverse cross section and adapted to be snap-fit over a bead attached to a rail member, the rail member being affixed to a supporting surface such as the doorframe or wall adjacent the doorframe, to thus rigidly brace and secure the door in an open position.

In a modified form, the doorcheck is provided with a tail extension having a serrated or saw-toothed surface which cooperates with an apertured clamp plate to clampingly secure the doorcheck directly to a portion of the doorframe without the need for a separate rail member.

A further modified form employs a tail extension having an upturned hook member at its terminal end. The hook member is adapted to be snap-fit under and accommodatingly received by a latch member affixed to a supporting surface.

An alternate embodiment of the doorcheck of this invention utilizes a yoke member pivotally mounted to a supporting surface and adapted to be selectively fitted over the top edge of a door to thus retain the door in an opened position.

It is an object therefore of the present invention to provide a doorcheck of the general character described herein which is not subject to the aforementioned disadvantages.

Specifically, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a doorcheck which is positionable over the top edge of the door to securely hold the door in an open position.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a doorcheck having a resilient yoke member with a tail extension adapted for snap-fitting engagement with a rail member affixed to a supporting surface or alternately adapted to be clamped to a portion of the doorframe for holding the door in an open position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a doorcheck which is pivotally mounted to a supporting surface above the door and is lowered to engage the top edge of the door and to brace and rigidly hold same in an open position.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in the following description of the preferred embodiments considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings in which are shown some of the various possible embodiments of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the doorcheck of this invention showing the door being securely held in a fully opened position, with a yoke member placed over the door and engaging a rail member mounted to the wall surface behind the door.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the doorcheck and shows the yoke member mounted over the top edge of the door surface and facing in an opposite direction from the doorcheck in FIG. I, wherein the door is held in a partially opened position and the rail member is mounted on the doorframe.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 and shows in detail the doorcheck including the yoke member having two depending legs for resiliently engaging the door and further illustrates the bifurcated tail extension of the yoke member forming a channel having a partially circular transverse cross section shown fully seated over a bead of the rail member with the rail member being securely affixed to a supporting surface.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of a doorcheck which illustrates a modified embodiment wherein two symmetrically disposed depending leg members are employed and both leg members have an angular configuration for facilitating the resilient gripping of the door.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate arrangement of the door check showing a door being held in a partially opened position.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5 and shows the doorcheck clampingly engaging a portion of the doorframe.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 77 of FIG. 6 showing the yoke member in position over the top edge of the door and the angulated tail extension including an upturned lip and apertured plate clampingly engaging a portion of the doorframe.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged exploded view of the doorcheck illustrated in FIGS. 5-7 showing the yoke member for placement over the top of the door, the depending leg for cooperating with the shoulder portion of the tail extension to resiliently grip the door, the upturned lip of the tail extension, and the saw-toothed or serrated surface for holding an apertured clamp plate.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of a further embodiment of the doorcheck of this invention wherein the tail extension member terminates with a hook member which is adapted for snap-fit engagement under a latch member affixed to a supporting surface.

FIG. I0 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the doorcheck of this invention wherein the tail extension from the yoke member has a journaled shaft for pivotal mounting of same in a bracket affixed to a supporting surface, and is adapted to be lowered for engaging the top edge of the door.

FIG. II shows an enlarged sectional side view of an alternate embodiment wherein the doorcheck is suitably modified for use in conjunction with two rail members and a bifurcated tail extension is provided on either side of the yoke member thus permitting selective sna -frtting engagement by the channel with a rail member placed on the doorframe as in FIG. 2 and also permitting engagement with a rail member placed on the wall behind the door as shown in FIG. I.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the reference numeral 20 denotes generally the doorcheck of this invention. The doorcheck 20 is comprised of a yoke member 22 adapted to fit over a top edge 24 of a door 26 and contains a front or forwardly depending leg 28 and a back or rearwardly depending leg 30. The forwardly depending leg 28 has an angular configuration (see FIG. 3), defining an apex 32 which engages the door 26. The rearwardly depending leg 30 extends downwardly along the surface of the door 26 and cooperates with the front leg 28 for providing a resilient gripping action to hold the door 26. The yoke member 22 further has a tail ex tension 34 which is bifurcated by means of a slotted opening 36. A channel 38 having a partially circular transverse cross section is formed in the terminal end of tail extension 34 and is adapted to be seated around a bead 40 of a rail member 42. The doorcheck is preferably made of thermoplastic material, rubber or other resilient material, so that the bifurcated tail extension 34 will be yieldable and can be snap-fit over the bead 40 to thus secure the doorcheck 20 to the rail member 42. Furthermore, a resilient material will provide the required elasticity to depending legs 28 and 30 for gripping the door 26. The rail member 42 is afilxed by means of an adhesive material 44 to a supporting surface such as a wall 46 adjacent the door 26 or to the doorframe 50. An epoxy adhesive may be used to affix the rail member 42, however, other appropriate adhesives or fastening means may be equally as effective. It should be noted that the relative positioning of the doorcheck 20 in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are reversed and will be further discussed herein.

A doorcheck 200, may be modified as shown in FIG. 4, especially when it is desired to increase the effectiveness of the resilient gripping thereof around a door 26a as may be the case wherein an unusually thick, heavy or massive door 260 is to be held in an open position. In such a case, a yoke member 22a is provided with a forwardly depending leg 28a similar in size and shape to leg 28 as described with reference to FIG. 3 and furthermore the yoke 22a is provided with a rearwardly depending leg 30a which is of the same size and dimension as the front leg 28a and is positioned to exert a complementary resilient force against the door 260. The angular configuration of legs 28a and 300 provides an additional space adjacent a top edge 24a of door 260 which space can be utilized for accommodating a door of greater thickness than door 260 and will thus provide greater versatility to this modified doorcheck 200. It should be further noted that the forwardly depending leg 28 (in FIG. 3) and 28a (in FIG. 4) may be extended downwardly to form a handle (not shown) for facilitating the placement of the doorcheck 20 (or 200) on the door 26 (or 260).

In order to properly use the doorcheck 20 (or 200 in FIG. 4) the yoke 22 is placed firmly over the top edge 24 of the door 26, either by using the previously described handle or some other convenient means. The door 26 is then opened to the desired degree and the doorcheck 20 is slid along the top edge 24 until the channel 38 engages or just about engages the bead 40 of the rail member 42. Then the door 26 is moved slightly toward the bead 40 to exert a sufficient force so that the channel 38 will snap-fit and be seated over the bead 40 and thus brace and secure the door 26 in this position (see FIG. 2). If it is desired to maintain the door in a fully opened position (see FIG. 1), the rail member 42 is affixed to the wall 46 immediately adjacent the doorframe 50 and behind the door 26. The doorcheck 20 may be turned around or positionally reversed I80 on the top edge 24 of door 26 such that the channel 38 will now engage to bead 40 of rail member 42 and be snap-fit in place to securely hold the door 26 in this position as shown in FIG. I.

In order to eliminate the need for removing and reversing the doorcheck 20 to reposition the channel 38, a modified doorcheck 20b is illustrated in FIG. 11 wherein the yoke 22b has two oppositely directed extensions 34b, having slotted openings 36b and and channels 38b the channels having a partially circular transverse cross section and adapted to be engaged by the bead 40 of the rail member 42. The depending legs 28b and are similar in design to those depending legs shown and discussed with reference to FIG. 4. It should thus be obvious that when the doorcheck 20b is placed on door 26, channels 38b will be readily adapted to engage a rail member 42 placed on the doorframe 50 when it is desired to maintain the door in a partially opened position, and correspondingly will also be positioned to engage another rail member 42 affixed to the wall 46 when it is desired to maintain the wall in a fully opened position.

The FIGS. 5 through 8 illustrate another embodiment wherein a doorcheck 20c comprised of a yoke member 22c having a forwardly depending leg 28c and an angulated tail extension 34c defining a shoulder portion 52 spaced from leg 28c and adapted to resiliently fit over a top edge 240 of door 260 to yieldingly grip the door 261: between the leg 28c and shoulder portion 52 in a manner similar to the previously described embodiments. The angulated tail extension 340 has an upturned lip 54 at its terminal end and a saw-toothed or serrated surface 56 is also provided on the tail extension 340. A clamp plate 58 having an elongated aperture 60, is adapted to be snugly positioned around the tail extension 340 (as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7) and to be frictionally held in place by the saw-toothed surface 56. This embodiment does not employ a rail member 42 for fastening the tail extension to a supporting surface, but rather employs a clamping" arrangement wherein a doorstep 62 depending downwardly from the upper portion of doorframe 50c is clamped between the upturned lip 54 and the clamp plate 58 as best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The doorcheck 20c may be slidingly positioned longitudinally at various points along the door 260, and the location of same will determine the extend to which the door 26c will be kept open.

The FIG. 9 illustrates a further modification, wherein a doorcheck 20d comprised of a yoke member 22d having a forwardly depending leg 28d and a rearwardly depending leg 30d which fit over the top edge 24d and grip the door 26d in much the same manner as the doorcheck 20 described and shown in FIGS. 1 through 4. The doorcheck 20d, however, incorporates a tail extension 34d which includes an upstanding hook member 64 at its terminal end. The upstanding hook member 64 is adapted to be snap-fit under a latch 66 which is affixed to a supporting surface such as a wall 46c by adhesive 440, much in the same manner as the rail member 42 previously described. The latch 66 and upstanding hook member 64 are provided with confronting complementary beveled surfaces 68 which will affectuate a snap-fitting connection as shown in FIG. 9. The embodiment described in FIG. 9 may be employed in much the same manner as the embodiment described and shown in FIGS. I through 4. It may additionally be provided with oppositely directed tail extensions 34d much in the same manner as the doorcheck 20b of FIG. ll for similar operation.

The FIG. 10 illustrates an additional embodiment of a doorcheck 20which has a yoke member 22: a resilient forwardly depending leg 28 and a resilient rearwardly depending leg 30: engaging a top edge 24s of a door 262 to grip same therebetween. A tail extension 34c accommodates a shafi 70 which is journaled through a bracket 72. The bracket 72 is preferably affixed to a wall surface (not shown). The doorcheck 20: will thus be pivotable and can be lowered over the door 26a to maintain same in a fully opened position. It should of course be noted that when the door 26c is in a fully opened position it will be at an angle to the wall surface. Therefore, the bracket 72 should be prepositioned prior to affixing same to the wall so that the depending legs 28 and 30a will be aligned parallel to and fully engageable over the door 26a.

The above cited embodiments are intended as exemplary and while they have described the invention with specific implementation thereof, other modifications and various changes might be made in the embodiment as so set forth and will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

It should therefore be understood that all material herein described or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

l. A doorcheck for use with a door pivotally mounted within a doorframe, said frame surrounding an opening within a wall, the doorcheck being adapted to maintain the door in either a partially or fully opened position and comprises a yoke member adapted to be placed over a top edge of the door, said yoke member having at least one leg depending therefrom for resiliently engaging the door, a tail extension directed rearwardly from said yoke member, means associated with said tail extension for affixing the yoke member to a sup porting surface, wherein the tail extension is bifurcated and further defines a channel at its terminal end and the means associated with the said tail extension includes a rail member affixed to a supporting surface having a bead thereon adapted for snap-fit engagement within said channel.

2. A doorcheck as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bifurcated tail extension is formed by a slotted opening extending forwardly from said channel, wherein the channel has a partial circular transverse cross section.

3. A doorcheck as claimed in claim 2 wherein the yoke member has two depending legs, each leg defining an angle, and the apex of said angle being in contact with the door to yieldingly grip same.

4. A doorcheck as claimed in claim 3 wherein the rail member is adhesively affixed to a supporting surface.

5. A doorcheck as claimed in claim 3 wherein there are two oppositely directed bifurcated tail extensions having channels formed therein at the respective terminal ends for engagement with rail members respectively affixed to the doorframe and wall.

6. A doorcheck for use with a door pivotally mounted within a doorframe, said frame surrounding an opening within a wall, the doorcheck being adapted to maintain the door in either a partially or fully opened position and comprises a yoke member adapted to be placed over a top edge of the door, said yoke member having at least one leg depending therefrom for resiliently engaging the door, a tail extension directed rearwardly from said yoke member, means associated with said tail extension for affixing the yoke member to a supporting surface, a doorstep projecting downwardly from the doorframe, an upstanding lip projecting upwardly from the terminal end of the tail extension, and an aperture clamp plate adapted to be snugly positioned around the tail extension for clampingly engaging the doorstep between the upstanding lip and the clamp plate to thusly firmly hold the door in a partially opened position,

7. A doorcheck as claimed in claim 6 wherein the yoke member has one forwardly depending leg positioned on one side of the door and an angulated tail extension defining a depending shoulder portion spaced from the leg, said shoulder being positioned on the other side of the door to yieldingly grip same.

8. A doorcheck for use with a door pivotally mounted within a doorframe, said frame surrounding an opening within a wall, the doorcheck being adapted to maintain the door in either a partially or fully opened position and comprises a yoke member adapted to be placed over a top edge of the door, said yoke member having at least one leg depending therefrom for resiliently engaging the door, a tail extension directed rearwardly from said yoke member, means associated with said tail extension for Mixing the yoke member to a supporting surface, an upstanding hook member on the terminal end of the tail extension, a latch member associated with the hook member and affixed to a supporting surface, said hook and latch member having confronting complementary beveled surfaces for providing a snap-fit engagement therebetween.

t i i 8 I8 

1. A doorcheck for use with a door pivotally mounted within a doorframe, said frame surrounding an opening within a wall, the doorcheck being adapted to maintain the door in either a partially or fully opened position and comprises a yoke member adapted to be placed over a top edge of the door, said yoke member having at least one leg depending therefrom for resiliently engaging the door, a tail extension directed rearwardly from said yoke member, means associated with said tail extension for affixing the yoke member to a supporting surface, wherein the tail extension is bifurcated and further defines a channel at its terminal end and the means associated with the said tail extension includes a rail member affixed to a supporting surface having a bead thereon adapted for snap-fit engagement within said channel.
 2. A doorcheck as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bifurcated tail extension is formed by a slotted opening extending forwardly from said channel, wherein the channel has a partial circular transverse cross section.
 3. A doorcheck as claimed in claim 2 wherein the yoke member has two depending legs, each leg defining an angle, and the apex of said angle being in contact with the door to yieldingly grip same.
 4. A doorcheck as claimed in claim 3 wherein the rail member is adhesively affixed to a supporting surface.
 5. A doorcheck as claimed in claim 3 wherein there are two oppositely directed bifurcated tail extensions having channels formed therein at the respective terminal ends for engagement with rail memBers respectively affixed to the doorframe and wall.
 6. A doorcheck for use with a door pivotally mounted within a doorframe, said frame surrounding an opening within a wall, the doorcheck being adapted to maintain the door in either a partially or fully opened position and comprises a yoke member adapted to be placed over a top edge of the door, said yoke member having at least one leg depending therefrom for resiliently engaging the door, a tail extension directed rearwardly from said yoke member, means associated with said tail extension for affixing the yoke member to a supporting surface, a doorstep projecting downwardly from the doorframe, an upstanding lip projecting upwardly from the terminal end of the tail extension, and an aperture clamp plate adapted to be snugly positioned around the tail extension for clampingly engaging the doorstop between the upstanding lip and the clamp plate to thusly firmly hold the door in a partially opened position. ,
 7. A doorcheck as claimed in claim 6 wherein the yoke member has one forwardly depending leg positioned on one side of the door and an angulated tail extension defining a depending shoulder portion spaced from the leg, said shoulder being positioned on the other side of the door to yieldingly grip same.
 8. A doorcheck for use with a door pivotally mounted within a doorframe, said frame surrounding an opening within a wall, the doorcheck being adapted to maintain the door in either a partially or fully opened position and comprises a yoke member adapted to be placed over a top edge of the door, said yoke member having at least one leg depending therefrom for resiliently engaging the door, a tail extension directed rearwardly from said yoke member, means associated with said tail extension for affixing the yoke member to a supporting surface, an upstanding hook member on the terminal end of the tail extension, a latch member associated with the hook member and affixed to a supporting surface, said hook and latch member having confronting complementary beveled surfaces for providing a snap-fit engagement therebetween. 